Subcutaneous device

Abstract

A subcutaneously implantable device includes a housing, a clip attached to a top side of the housing, an electrode, a prong, and a sensor in the prong. The clip is configured to anchor the device to a muscle, a bone, and/or first tissue. The electrode is configured to contact an organ, a nerve, the first tissue, and/or second tissue. The prong is configured to contact the organ, the nerve, and/or the second tissue. The electrode is positioned on the distal end of the prong. The sensor is operable to sense a physiological parameter and includes a temperature sensor, an accelerometer, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, an optical sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor. Circuitry in the housing is in electrical communication with the sensor and the electrode and is configured to sense electrical signals, deliver electrical stimulation, and/or to deliver a signal to a drug pump.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A subcutaneously implantable device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a clip attached to a top side of the housing that is configured to anchor the device to a muscle, a bone, and/or a first tissue; 
 an electrode that is configured to contact an organ, a nerve, the first tissue, and/or a second tissue; 
 a prong with a proximal end attached to the housing and a distal end extending away from the housing that is configured to contact the organ, the nerve, and/or the second tissue, wherein the electrode is positioned on the distal end of the prong; 
 a sensor positioned in the prong, the sensor being operable to sense a physiological parameter and comprising a temperature sensor, an accelerometer, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, an optical sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor; and 
 circuitry in the housing in electrical communication with the sensor and the electrode that is configured to sense an electrical signal from the organ, the nerve, the first tissue, and/or the second tissue through the electrode; deliver electrical stimulation to the organ, the nerve, the first tissue, and/or the second tissue through the electrode; and/or deliver a signal to a drug pump to provide a targeted or systemic therapeutic drug to the organ, the nerve, the first tissue, and/or the second tissue. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the clip is configured to attach the device to a xiphoid process and/or a sternum of a patient. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the clip is configured with respect to the housing such that when the clip is attached to the xiphoid process and/or the sternum, the housing of the device is positioned below the xiphoid process and/or the sternum of the patient. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is operable to provide information relating to at least one of the following: heart rate, heart rhythm, respiration rate, respiration waveform, activity, movement, posture, oxygen saturation, photoplethysmogram (PPG), blood pressure, core body temperature, pulmonary edema, or pulmonary wetness. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an optical sensor, the optical sensor being operable to provide information relating to at least one of heart rate or oxygen saturation. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an accelerometer. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the accelerometer is operable to provide information relating to at least one of the following: heart rate, heart rhythm, activity, or movement. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the electrode is configured to come into contact with a heart. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the device is configured to provide rate responsive pacing. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the clip comprises:
 a top portion; 
 a bottom portion; and 
 a spring portion extending between and connecting the top portion to the bottom portion, wherein the spring portion is configured to force the top portion of the clip down onto the muscle, the bone, and/or the first tissue. 
 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the top portion of the clip is configured to receive sutures, tines, pins, or screws to secure the device to the bone, the muscle, and/or the first tissue on which the clip is anchored. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the top portion and the bottom portion of the clip are rigid. 
     
     
       13. A subcutaneously implantable device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a clip attached to a top side of the housing that is configured to anchor the device to a muscle, a bone, and/or a first tissue; 
 a first prong with a proximal end attached to the housing and a distal end extending away from the housing that is configured to contact a first organ and/or a second tissue; 
 a second prong with a proximal end attached to the housing and a distal end extending away from the housing that is configured to contact the first organ, a second organ, the second tissue, and/or a third tissue; 
 a first electrode on the distal end of the first prong that is configured to contact the first organ and/or the second tissue; 
 a second electrode on the distal end of the second prong that is configured to contact the first organ, the second organ, the second tissue, and/or the third tissue; 
 a sensor positioned in the first prong or the second prong, the sensor being operable to sense a physiological parameter and comprising a temperature sensor, an accelerometer, a pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, an optical sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor; and 
 circuitry in the housing in electrical communication with the sensor, the first electrode, and the second electrode and is configured to sense an electrical signal from the first organ, the second organ, the second tissue, and/or the third tissue. 
 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the clip is configured to attach the device to a xiphoid process and/or a sternum of a patient. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 14 , wherein the clip is configured with respect to the housing such that when the clip is attached to the xiphoid process and/or the sternum, the housing of the device is positioned below the xiphoid process and/or the sternum of the patient. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor is operable to provide information relating to at least one of the following: heart rate, heart rhythm, respiration rate, respiration waveform, activity, movement, posture, oxygen saturation, photoplethysmogram (PPG), blood pressure, core body temperature, pulmonary edema, or pulmonary wetness. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor is an optical sensor, the optical sensor being operable to provide information relating to at least one of heart rate or oxygen saturation. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor is an accelerometer. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 18 , wherein the accelerometer is operable to provide information relating to at least one of the following: heart rate, heart rhythm, activity, or movement. 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 18 , wherein the device is configured to provide rate responsive pacing. 
     
     
       21. The device of  claim 18 , wherein the first electrode is configured to come into contact with a ventricle of a heart, and the second electrode is configured to come into contact with an atrium of the heart. 
     
     
       22. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the clip comprises:
 a top portion; 
 a bottom portion; and 
 a spring portion extending between and connecting the top portion to the bottom portion, wherein the spring portion is configured to force the top portion of the clip down onto the muscle, the bone, and/or the first tissue. 
 
     
     
       23. The device of  claim 22 , wherein the clip further comprises:
 a first opening and a second opening extending through the top portion of the clip, wherein the first opening and the second opening are configured to receive sutures, tines, pins, or screws to secure the device to the bone, the muscle, and/or the first tissue on which the clip is anchored. 
 
     
     
       24. The device of  claim 22 , wherein the top portion and the bottom portion of the clip are rigid.